A letter of intent tells a specific organization that you want in, and why, before there's a formal offer on the table. In a career context you send one when you're applying for an internal promotion, expressing interest in a graduate or fellowship program, or submitting an open application to a company that isn't publicly hiring.
Dr. Elena Ford, Director, MIT Sloan MBA Fellows Program
Dear Dr. Ford,
I'm writing to express my intent to apply for the MIT Sloan MBA Fellows Program starting in fall 2027. Your program's focus on operations analytics and systems leadership aligns directly with the path I've been building for the last five years, and I want to be considered among your next cohort.
As an Operations Analyst at Meridian Logistics, I rebuilt the demand-forecasting model that our regional planning team relied on, cutting stockouts by 28% and freeing roughly $1.4 million in tied-up inventory in a single fiscal year. I did the quantitative work, but I also had to bring three skeptical department heads on board, which taught me that the hardest part of operations isn't the math, it's the change management. That combination of analytics and stakeholder leadership is exactly what your Fellows curriculum is built to sharpen.
What draws me to Sloan specifically is the way the Fellows Program treats students as practitioners first. I'm not looking to step away from operations to study it in the abstract. I want to return to my field with a stronger command of systems design and the credibility to lead larger transformations. I'm confident I could contribute to your cohort's applied projects from day one, and I'd bring real-world supply-chain problems to the table for the group to solve.
I'd welcome the chance to discuss my background and how it fits the program before I submit my formal application in September. Thank you for considering my intent. I look forward to the possibility of joining the next class of Sloan Fellows.
Sincerely,
Priya Nair
It differs from a cover letter in aim and timing. A cover letter answers a posted job and maps your background to a listed set of requirements.
A letter of intent is more forward-looking: it states your goal, connects it to the organization's mission, and asks to be considered, often before a role is even defined. The word carries a second meaning in business and real estate, where a letter of intent is a short document that outlines the terms two parties plan to negotiate, such as a deal or a lease.
That version is a formal precursor to a contract, not a job pitch, so keep the two uses separate. This page focuses on the career sense: the letter you write to a hiring committee, a program director, or a leader you want to work with.
Below you'll find a complete example you can adapt line by line, a section-by-section writing guide, keywords to weave in, and answers to the questions people ask most.
Don't bury the lead. Open by naming exactly what you're expressing intent toward: the program, the promotion, or the role you hope opens up. The reader should know your goal before the end of line one. A letter of intent that keeps the reader guessing has already lost the skim test.
This is what separates a letter of intent from a generic pitch. Show that you understand what the program, team, or company is trying to build, and frame your intent as helping them get there. Reference a specific priority, value, or direction, then tie your ambition directly to it.
You're asking to be considered, so give them a reason. Pick a single achievement that maps to what they care about, state what you did, and quantify the result. One real example carries more weight than a list of qualities, especially when there's no posting to check you against.
A cover letter looks back at what you've done for a listed role. A letter of intent looks ahead. Spend at least one paragraph on what you want to contribute, where you're headed, and why this organization is the right next step. The tense should point toward the future you're proposing.
Don't end on a vague hope. Ask for something specific: a conversation before you apply, a spot in the review pool, or the chance to submit a full application. A clear ask tells the reader precisely what you want them to do next and makes it easy for them to say yes.
Keep the tone professional and specific. Swap in real names, dates, and details so the letter reads as genuine, not a filled-in template.
What's the difference between a letter of intent and a cover letter?
A cover letter responds to a specific posted job and maps your experience to the listed requirements. A letter of intent is more forward-looking: you use it to signal interest in a program, a promotion, or a company before there's a defined role, and it leads with your goal rather than a checklist of qualifications. The two overlap in tone but differ in aim and timing.
How long should a letter of intent be?
One page, three or four short paragraphs, roughly 250 to 400 words. State your intent, connect it to the organization, prove fit with one example, and close with a clear ask. Anything longer starts to read like an essay, and reviewers skim, so keep every line working.
When should I use a letter of intent instead of a cover letter?
Use one when you're applying for a graduate or fellowship program, pursuing an internal promotion, or submitting an open application to a company with no posted opening. If you're responding to a specific job listing, a standard cover letter usually fits better. In business and real estate, a letter of intent means something else entirely: a short outline of deal terms before a contract.
How do I structure a letter of intent?
Four parts. First, state your intent and the specific role or program. Second, connect your goal to the organization's mission or priorities. Third, prove your fit with one concrete, quantified achievement. Fourth, close with a specific next step, such as a conversation before you formally apply. Keep each part to a tight paragraph.
Do I need a letter of intent for a regular job?
For a standard posted job, a cover letter is the norm and a letter of intent isn't required. Letters of intent shine in less standard situations: reaching out about a role that isn't advertised, applying to a program, or making a case for an internal move. If a job posting specifically asks for one, follow its instructions and lead with your intent.
